The majority of teams in the English Premier League have just eight games left to play in the current season. Every match is vital now in terms of individual aims and this clash at the London Stadium is no exception.
Both West Ham United and Leicester City are looking to finish inside the top four and claim a coveted Champions League place (9.05am ET Sunday; TV: Live on Sky Sports). Three points from this encounter would go a long way towards confirming that top four status but who will come through at the end of 90 minutes?
West Ham vs Leicester Moneyline Odds
All three possible outcomes in the moneyline market have crept over the +100 mark. Leicester City are favorites across all sportsbooks with most outlets quoting odds of +140 for the away win. Victory for West Ham is next at a general +190 while the draw is slightly further back at an industry best of +245.
Just one place separates the two sides in the EPL table. Leicester City’s Foxes are in third place on 56 points and that gives Brendan Rodgers’ team a four-point advantage over the Hammers. The form guide slightly favors Leicester although recent results have been similar.
In their last five matches, the Foxes have won three, drawn one and have lost just once. Over at West Ham, David Moyes’ Hammers have won two, lost two and drawn one. Both sides have lost to runaway league leaders Manchester City in that period.
Those stats may point to a draw but Leicester and West Ham have to go for the win in order to maintain a top four push. An attacking mindset in each camp should bring a positive result but who are the players who can decide the destiny of this game?
Likely WHU vs LCFC Prop Bets
The first goalscorer prop market shows two joint favorites with Leicester’s Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho both quoted at +500 in places. Of those two, former England striker Vardy is the most likely starter while Iheanacho is often used from the subs’ bench later in the game.
West Ham’s first representative in the opening goalscorer betting is Michail Antonio who is slightly further back at +600. In terms of a higher odds option, Jesse Lingard is quoted at +700 while Tomas Soucek at +900 has been contributing vital goals from midfield.
Moving forward, away from player props, we’ll start as always with Both Teams to Score. Leicester and West Ham have been finding the net with regularity in this campaign but BTTS is at reasonable odds of around -120. For reference, voting ‘No’ on Both Teams to Score would attract a general price of +100.
Next up is the Total Combined Goals markets where best odds of +100 are in place for anyone betting Over the 2.5 line. Pushing a little higher to Above 3.5 goals takes those numbers to a general +220.
All that remains is our regular look at the Correct Score betting and, in the event of a high scoring game, there are some interesting prices. A 3-2 win for West Ham is quoted at best odds of +3300 (33/1) while the same outcome in favor of Leicester City is a little shorter at +3000. A 2-2 draw would attract an industry best of +1400.
Our Preview’s WHUFC vs LCFC Predictions & Betting Picks Verdict
West Ham United and Leicester City are two sides known for playing attacking and entertaining football. That doesn’t always guarantee a high scoring game but the trends suggest that we should see a few goals in Sunday’s encounter.
West Ham have scored three times in each of their last two matches. Meanwhile, Leicester managed eight goals in two games prior to their 2-0 loss to Manchester City last time out. For that reason, we’re looking to go Over the 3.5 line as one of our prop bets. Both Teams to Score also looks a strong option but Over 3.5 carries the longer odds.
A higher scoring match also brings into play a number of options in the individual goal scorer betting. We mentioned a few names earlier but the one that stands out is that of the Hammers’ Jesse Lingard. Currently on loan from Manchester United, England international Lingard has scored six goals in his first eight games for West Ham. It is an impressive return and one that makes him a confirmed pick in the anytime goalscorer markets.
As for the result, West Ham have been defying the odds right through the season. In 2020/21 they have already beaten many of the top teams and it is worth noting that the Hammers beat Leicester 3-0 in the reverse fixture back in October.
West Ham for the win is the main pick with the addition of two likely props which will hopefully add to a nice profit at the end of 90 minutes. So these are our predictions and picks for this EPL game:
- West Ham United to win @ +200 (2/1) with Bovada or Bookmaker.
- Jesse Lingard to score at any time @ +275 with Bovada or Intertops.
- Over 3.5 goals @ +240 with Bovada.
Matt Harris is a golf and soccer expert for USA Betting. His other area of specialist knowledge is cricket. He is well known in sports journalism and contributes articles to a plethora of big-name websites and media outlets. Titles that he writes or has written for include: Betfair, BetVictor, Unibet & Just Bookies.